Olympic FC have increased the club's attacking options after signing creative midfielder George Barbarouses for the remainder of the NPL Queensland season.

Barbarouses scored five goals for Redlands United last season before a short stint at Capalaba FC earlier this year.

The 26 year old said he was excited to rejoin NPL Queensland with the reigning premiers and champions.

“I’ve known it’s a big club and I’ve always wanted to play here,” Barbarouses said.

“Redlands was awesome but this is a club that won the league last year and still has high aspirations.

“Capalaba was good as well, a nice bunch of lads and a good club, but while I can I want to play at the highest level.”

Despite enjoying his two years at Redlands, where he played alongside current Olympic forward Reuben Way, Barbarouses believes his best chance of silverware is at Goodwin Park.

“Being 26 now and I guess ‘slowing down’ it would be awesome to win the NPL if I can and playing here I think will give me the best chance,” he said.

“Redlands was good but it’s time for a change maybe, to start enjoying football again.”

“Speaking to (Head Coach) Jim Bellas and (captain) Danny Byrne it sounds like this is where it’s at to start enjoying it again. If Jim and (Assistant Coach) Tim Brown feel I can help the team and jump straight in I’m ready.”

While football reasons motivated his move from his native New Zealand to Brisbane in 2012, the Wellingtonian has relished life in the Queensland capital.

“I’m loving it here now,” Barbarouses said.

“I owe a lot to (Redlands Head Coach) Matt Chandler. Football was the main reason for moving and just a change in lifestyle really.

“Wellington gets a bit small having lived there for 20 odd years.”

Barbarouses, a former Team Wellington and Wellington Olympic AFC player in the New Zealand leagues, can be expected to add further creativity to an already fluid Olympic FC team in his natural position behind the strikers.

“That’s basically where I’ve played all my life,” he explained.

“I know the ins and outs of being a 'number 10' as people call it. Even as I’m getting older I enjoy dropping a bit deeper and just spraying it around.”

Barbarouses is the older brother of Melbourne Victory and New Zealand forward Kosta, who also called Brisbane home between 2010 and 2011.

“I’ve jumped ship from being a Wellington Phoenix supporter to Brisbane Roar supporter and now a Melbourne Victory supporter,” the elder Barbarouses laughed.

“I’ve always supported him. I follow where the bro goes!"

“Just recently when Victory played in Brisbane it was good to catch up with him. Hopefully over Easter I can go down to Melbourne.”

Barbarouses is in line to make his Olympic FC debut against Harimau Muda ‘A’ this Saturday and will wear the number 8 jersey.

 

Words & Image: Matt Dorman (Olympic FC)